Random thoughts for a short attention span.

The Office is back and everything is right with the world. For those of you who don't watch, you're missing out. But that's OK, I've been hearing that I'm missing American Idol and I don't give a crap. Tonight's episode was one of the best ever. It bears re-watching, which I will do on NBC.com.

The latest Barack Obama ad, which aired during The Office (buzz kill) tells us: "There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America." That's a nice sentiment, but it's completely erroneous. Anyone who pays attention knows differently. Can he honestly tell us that Utah is the same as New York City? That Alabama is the same as Minnesota? He's kidding, right? If he thinks that message is going to carry him to the White House, he's got another think coming. The term "United States" is a geographic distinction, and in no way relates to the politics that each state represents. I think Barack knows that (at least I hope he does) but he tells us differently because he hopes it will help his cause. Stop trying to fool us into thinking you can change the world and let us elect you because you're the best option we have.

NBC is advertising the Miss USA pageant as - not a beauty contest - but a YouTube video, featuring contestants falling down and answering questions the way a drunk would. I suppose, once the luster of a girl in a one-piece bathing suit wears off, they'll grab for anything they can. Maybe ... just maybe ... it's time to stop the beauty contest nonsense once and for all?

The Masters golf tournament is taking place this weekend in interstate exit Augusta, Georgia. I've gained a measure of respect for the organizers. The first two rounds are being telecast on ESPN. One condition of ESPN gaining the rights was that frogmouth Chris Berman not be part of it. He's the braying voice of the NFL, but the upright citizens of golf refused to have his nickname-spouting nonsense be a part of The Masters. Good for them, I say. Somebody finally had the gumption to stand up to big-time TV and demand form over substance.

I really want this lens. Convince me otherwise.

Every time I turn around I'm reading another story about some conflict over the Olympic torch. The world is big on symbolism, and the torch represents ... something. People who want to tie-in sports and politics have their emotions misplaced. Let the athletes compete and figure out some other way to express your displeasure with whatever is going on in China.

I finally got my copy of "There Will Be Blood" today. It's a two-disc set that contains a lot of "making of" stuff and some historic film of the early oil pioneers. I'm looking forward to spending a rainy Saturday with it. Seriously, if you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and visit your local rental joint and pick it up. Daniel Day-Lewis won the Oscar for best actor and it also won for best cinematography. Award-winning acting and film making is a great combination.

If there is a God, he is a vengeful one. After a beautiful sunny working day on Thursday, we are looking at a rainy Friday-Saturday-Sunday.

Have a mango.